User reviews

"House of Frankenstein" is salvaged by a great cast of seasoned performers who make this movie better than it should be, given it's split "B" movie story. In a move to re-generate interest in its fading horror series, Universal gives us Dracula, the Frankenstein monster, the Wolf Man, the Hunchback and the Mad Doctor all in the same film. But where's the Mummy? It is essentially divided into two parts.

We begin with the notorious Dr. Gustav Niemann (Boris Karloff) and his hunchback assistant Daniel (J. Carroll Naish) escaping from the prison in which they have been held for the past 15 years. They come upon a traveling Chamber of Horrors that supposedly includes the remains of the infamous Count Dracula, run by a Professor Lampini (George Zucco). Neimann wants to return to his home and resume his work of creating life from dead bodies and take revenge upon his accusers. The unfortunate Professor is quickly dispatched and Neimann takes his place.

It turns out that the remains of Dracula are genuine and Neimann brings him back to life in the form of John Carradine. Neimann plans to use Dracula as the instrument of his revenge. He is sent to murder the local Burgomeister (Sig Ruman) and is attracted to his grand daughter Rita (Anne Gwynne). When Rita is abducted by Dracula, her husband (Peter Coe) and the local police Inspector (Lionel Atwill) give chase and .....

Meanwhile Neimann plans to go to the ruins of Frankenstein's castle to seek out the scientist's notes on the creation of his creature. Along the way they stop at a gypsy camp and Daniel becomes infatuated with a gypsy girl Ilonka (Elena Verdugo). At the castle Daniel falls into a frozen cave where they find the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.) and the Frankenstein monster (Glenn Strange). The Wolf Man changes back into Lawrence Talbot and pleads with Neimann to help rid him of his werewolf curse.

Neimann takes them both back to his laboratory but becomes pre-occupied with restoring the monster rather than helping Talbot. Ilonka begins to fall in love with Talbot but is warned of Talbot's curse. The full moon comes up and you know what happens next. Daniel attacks Neimann because of his broken promises to him. The monster suddenly awakens and.....

The teaming of Karloff and Chaney makes this film work. Karloff is great as the mad doctor and Chaney brings pathos and sympathy to his portrayal of the doomed Talbot. Carradine makes a surprisingly good Dracula in an all too brief appearance. Naish almost steals the film as the tragic Daniel whose love for the gypsy girl is doomed from the start. Cowboy actor and former stuntman Glenn Strange takes over as the monster but has little to do until the last reel. Atwill and Zucco sadly, make only brief appearances in minor roles.

Followed by "House of Dracula" (1945) a similar but inferior film.

This has some of the best vintage sequences in the series, great George Robinson photography, eerie sets and a nice score from Hans J Salter that expands on the previous entries. And everyone does their professional best to spout the inane dialogue they're saddled with. What's wrong is the silly story that surrounds the events. A movie that promises a Monster Mash results in a collection of Monster cameos.

This is a semi remake of 'Son of Frankenstein', where broken-neck Ygor used the Monster to exact his revenge. This time around, it's mad scientist Karloff (with hunchback Naish) doing the same on those who imprisoned him. But the only 'monsters' used as his proxy for revenge are Dracula and Daniel. The Wolf Man and Frankenstein's Monster show up just long enough to do their snarls before being dispatched. A nice touch was the triangle love between Talbot, the gypsy Ilonka and Daniel. And like 'Ghost of Frankenstein', there's a difference of opinion on who should be the recipient of whose brain.

But this movie is still fun, probably because it's based more on my nostalgic memories from the first time I saw it as a kid rather than my harsh adult perception. (A & C Meet Frankenstein I saw 1st, at 5 yrs old...another movie with all these monsters in it??...too cool! [just my silly 6 yr old opinion].

This one has the best 'Wolf Man' make-up and man-to-beast transformation (the footprints & the mirror sequence). Carradine's turn as Dracula is very good, but you can't help but wonder if only Lugosi had been allowed to reprise his most famous role. And for his limited input, Strange does just fine as the Monster (better than what Chaney and Lugosi did with the role in the last two) helped by Karloff's coaching on how the monster moved and walked. And it's complete with gypsies, a castle, fog forests and an angry mob (again).

So just grab some popcorn; and double up with Universal's 'House of Dracula' for a fun double feature. Just don't swallow too hard.

A nostalgic 6 out of 10!

This is the first time Universal Studios tried a Monster Mash by incorporating three of their most popular creatures into one film: Dracula, The Wolf Man and Frankenstein's Monster. The results are quite good, mostly due to the performers chosen for their parts. This is not supposed to be sophisticated film-making or storytelling; just a fun ghoulish romp, perfectly suited for a Halloween Night. And it succeeds admirably.

Boris Karloff returned to the Frankenstein Series with this installment, and it's an asset to the picture to have him. Some fans have accused him of walking through his part as a mad scientist here, but I've always found this to be a very understated kind of calculated evil, and he's very good here. He portrays the mad Dr. Niemann, who once dared to follow in the footsteps of the original Frankenstein, and as a result was jailed for his unethical experiments along with his hunchbacked assistant, Daniel. When a severe thunderstorm destroys the foundation of the prison he's housed in, Niemann manages an escape and attempts to locate the original diary of Dr. Frankenstein, running into Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Frankenstein Monster along the way.

J. Carrol Naish scores high points with his portrayal of the sympathetic hunchbacked assistant to Karloff, and manages to stir up our emotions as he pines away for cute gypsy girl Elena Verdugo. Lon Chaney plays The Wolf Man for a third time here, and though he's saddled with some silly dialogue ("why have you freed me from the ice that imprisoned the beast that lived within me?") he has now made the tragic character of Larry Talbot the werewolf all his own. He is desperate to aid Dr. Niemann however he can, in the hopes that the scientist may be able to return the favor by curing him of his curse.

John Carradine is exceptional as Dracula, playing the part differently than Bela Lugosi had. What Carradine lacked in the creepy "otherworldliness" of Bela, he made up for with aristocratic evil. His physical look is actually much closer to how Bram Stoker described the character in his novel, "Dracula". Glenn Strange takes on the role of the hulking and imposing Frankenstein Monster for the first time, and is the next best to Karloff's interpretation of the creature, in terms of appearance. Hans J. Salter again provides a wonderfully haunting music score. Director Erle C. Kenton accentuates the proceedings with gloomy sets, dark nights and the customary thunder and lightning.

This monster fest is light and breezy, packing much into its brief 70 minute running time. If there is any quibble to be made for HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, it would be with regard to the episodic way in which its three monsters are worked into the plot. Dracula has an early segment all his own, and then the second half switches to the Wolf Man and the Frankenstein Monster. None of the creatures cross paths with another, and their screen time as ghouls is limited (especially the case for the Monster). But this is just a technicality; for those who don't go into it expecting High Art, there is still much fun to be had within the House of Frankenstein. *** out of ****

I grew up in the 60s, and my dad introduced me to the Universal Horror movies through TV reruns. Among the attractions: the mysterious atmosphere, the B&W photography, the convincing and committed performances, the occasional wit and humor. These films never fail to please me and put me in a good mood, and this one is one of my favorites. Lots of fun with the monsters, moods and music. Call me old-fashioned, but I'd rather watch just one of these old chestnuts than a year's worth of Freddies, Jasons, etc.

The movie begins with evil Dr. Gustav Niemann and his sidekick, Daniel roaming the countryside doing evil and making a few bucks on the side. It's a simple life traveling the countryside and creating mayhem, but somebody's gotta do it, right?! Well, the maniacal doctor has a lot of unforeseen luck, as he stumbles first upon the skeleton of Dracula (who he wisely decides to revive). For some odd reason, the long-dead Dracula comes back not as Bela Lugosi but John Carradine. While a decent enough villain, it just made no sense why Lugosi didn't reprise the role. Anyway, they later discover the Frankenstein monster and the Wolfman frozen in a cave (since their last film) and spend much of their time trying to revive them--so they can kick butt and spread terror. Well, they did not foresee that the Wolfman, when in the form of nice-guy Larry Talbot, didn't want to spread terror and death (shucks). Well, the plan is shot and evil is thwarted. Cool.

Strengths of the film are the evil doctor--he's a really nasty menace, having three monsters instead of the usual one and the fact that it is a Universal horror film with all its campy fun. The weaknesses are that the series is getting a little old, the pathos concerning Daniel falling for the gypsy girl is a tad annoying, and John Carradine just isn't and never could be Dracula!

Dr. Gustav Newmann (Boris Karloff) is jailed for accusation as a body snatcher. He breaks-out and along with hunchback Daniel (J.Carroll Naish) take the ¨chamber of horrors showside¨ of Professor Lampini (George Zucco) containing the skeleton of count Dracula (John Carradine) . They are going to Frankenstein's village and later they return to Vesaria . His aim is taking the experiments on life of the deceased Henry Frankestein found into archives of the castle . The doctor tries some scientific experiments to cure various Universal monsters but results that their bad habits emerge again . The second half has them dealing with the werewolf called Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney) and monster Frankenstein (Glen Strange in his first appearance as monster) . Meanwhile , the hunchback falls in love with a Zingara (Elena Verdugo) and developing a loving triangle with the werewolf , the beast marked for the pentagram .

The classic player of horror movies Boris Karloff is magnificent and his strong portrayal of the scientific attempting to create a new monster changing brains is awesome . Filmmaker Erl C. Kenton creates some really chilling scenes, with amazing moments , and several powerful images, especially when the creatures are reborn , including an interesting and twisted script . ¨Frankenstein¨and ¨The bride of Frankenstein¨ by James Whale were the definitive expressionist Gothic Horror movies that set the mold for successive terror movies just like this ¨House of Frankentein¨and many others . Atmospheric , slick terror film , creaky at times but it's still impressive . Film displays excellent set design , ambitious screenplay with too many monsters and enjoyable and sensitive interpretation of all casting . Lon Chaney Jr.'s top-notch acting in the role which made him a terror movie legend . J Carroll Naish is excellent as a hunchback similar to Igor . The movie is also called ¨The Zingara and the monsters¨, as the title suggests , various of Universal's most famous monsters confront and fight each other . Creepy and adjusted music by Hans J. Salter and eerie black and white cinematography , filled with lights and shades . The motion picture was well directed Erle C. Kenton who already directed various horror films . The prequel was ¨Frankestein meet the wolf man¨ and was followed by a sequel : ¨House of Dracula¨.

Instead of being the usual "monster-fest", the film focuses on Boris Karloff, who uses the creatures to murder the people who sent him to an asylum.

The "Dracula" bit (in the beginning of the film) doesn't quite seem to "fit" the film; it looks as if it was added as an after-thought. (Plus, Carradine's Dracula is VERY "sloppy" about self-preservation; he is "discovred" and destroyed in the very beginning of the film. I don't think that LUGOSI'S Dracula would've let that happen! I wonder if that's why Lugosi

didn't play Dracula).

A new "twist" is added to the "killing a werewolf with a silver bullet" theme....it must be done by someone "who loves him enuff to do it".

The Frankenstein monster is "wasted", too -- only coming to life in the last 10 mins. of the film.

But, forget all it's shortcomings. Just sit back and enjoy Karloff's performance. (I like the bit where he tries to strangle the asylum guard for a piece of chalk!).

An "odd little film". Norm

Mad scientist Boris Karloff escapes from prison with hunchbacked assistant Daniel (J. Carrol Naish). He plans revenge against the men who put him there and wants to revive the Frankenstein monster. Along the way they revive Dracula (John Carradine) and Lawrence Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.) pops up as the Wolf Man. Silly but enjoyable all-star monster mash. Naish, Karloff, Carradine are all very good as is Elena Verdugo as a gypsy who falls in love with Talbot. Chaney Jr. just walks through his role. No great shakes (or scares) but there's tons of atmosphere, beautiful sets, pretty good special effects and it moves quickly. Worth seeing.

It's the "anything for a buck" mentality that still permeates the film industry today. So little imagination that to copy is the only way to go. Take all the monsters, played by different actors down on their luck, and throw them at the audience. Do a good job of promoting the film, with evocative posters and neat trailers, and hope the Saturday morning crowd shows up. There isn't much to this film. At the center is a hunchback who uses the little power he has to strike out at the world. The rest is predictable shtick as the entire bunch are let loose on the world. I agree with a previous commentator who said that this may have been a last hurrah for the whole genre; at least at Universal. Of course, it's fun to see how Hollywood makeup could do, but as for a plot and a story, the hype is better than the product.

In 1943 Universal teamed up Frankenstein and the Wolfman and made a fortune. So the theory was if the public loved 2 monsters, let's toss five at them!!Strangely enough this works.

The mad doctor Niemann(Boris Karloff) and his hunchback assistant are locked in prison. Seems the old doc was doing some rather frowned upon experiments. A convenient lightning bolt destroys the prison walls and the doctor and his hunchback escape.

They are picked up by Lampini's travelling sideshow.The hunchback kills the owner and the doctor takes his place. They head to the town that vilified the mad doctor years before.

Without giving too much away the doctor stumbles upon Dracula(John Carradine),Wolfman (Lon Chaney) & the Frankenstein Monster (Glenn Strange).They all figure into his plot of revenge against the men who sent him to prison.

This movie has a wonderful sense of lunacy to it.Boris gives a fine performance as Niemann.Carradine gives his first portrayal of Dracula. (Always found him to be extremely hammy).Chaney of course gives a tortured air to Larry Talbot, the Wolfman.

Many critics felt that too many monsters spoiled the brew.But Dracula & the Monster are really nothing more than extended cameos.If you sit back and just enjoy the ride the movie accomplishes what it set out to do and that is just entertain. Gets an 8.

Four Frankenstein movies, four Dracula movies, two Wolf Man movies, and still we wanted more. And, well, I guess it was about time they put all three monsters together in one movie.

It's all wonderfully silly ... an insane doctor called Gustav Niemann manages to escape from a lunatic asylum along with his hunchback assistant, and decides to continue the work of Frankenstein. By pure chance he happens to run across a travelling circus which happens to have the genuine skeleton of Count Dracula. It isn't long before he slaughters the circus folk and removes the stake from the vampire's heart, reviving him. He then makes his way to the castle of Frankenstein and in a glacial ice cavern he discovers both Frankenstein's monster and the Wolf Man frozen in ice. He thaws them and takes them back to his laboratory, promising new life for the monster and a cure for the Wolf Man. But a beautiful gypsy girl causes conflict between them ...

While the story for this one comes from Curt Siodmak, the team of director Erle C. Kenton and scriptwriter Edward T. Lowe Jr. created both the "House of Frankenstein" and the "House of Dracula" sequels. The only one of the monsters that's actually still being played by the same actor here is Lon Chaney Jr's Wolf Man. Boris Karloff appears, but not as the Frankenstein monster. Instead he plays Doctor Niemann (who amusingly gets called a 'would-be Frankenstein' in the first scene), while Glenn Strange plays the monster. But fear not -- both turn in excellent performances all the same, with Glenn Strange proving himself to be such a great choice for Frankenstein that he would return again in "House of Dracula" and "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein".

J. Carrol Naish is also noteworthy as Niemann's hunchback assistant. However, this was John Carradine's first appearance as Dracula, and he's barely even slightly creepy. He's not a patch on Bela Lugosi (although much better then some of the other actors who portrayed Dracula), and the "vampire bat" effects are as bad as ever, if not worse. Thankfully he only has a very small part anyway. And considering the movie is called "House of Frankenstein", Frankenstein doesn't have a very big part either, but what small screen time he has is particularly memorable -- the climax is one of the most thrilling out of any of the Universal monster movies. The Wolf Man is the more interesting and sympathetic character, so once again he has the most screen time.

This is an entertaining movie that throws in everything but the kitchen sink. Fans of the Universal monster movies will be suitably thrilled by it, regardless of how silly it all is.

House of Frankenstein was the first of the monster free for alls with all three Universal monster legends, the Frankenstein monster, the wolfman, and Dracula. It is not the most coherent story around, but you won't care because the film has a brisk pace, imaginative scenes, creative sets, and some first-rate acting. Boris Karloff plays a doctor in the Dr. Frankenstein tradition trying to resurrect the Monster and appease the wolfman by finding him a path to death. He is the epitome of evil and has no moral compass whatsoever. Karloff does a fine job in his role, and Lon Chaney, as ever saddened at his lunar plight, does a wonderful job again as Larry Talbot(his third time in the role). Glenn Strange plays the monster..and plays him well although really has little to do in the film till the last five minutes. Dracula is played by John Carradine. The shining stars of the cast, however, are J. Carroll Naish playing a poor murdering hunchback with low self-esteem, and the bubbly and beautiful Elena Verdugo as a gypsy girl. Naish gives a very poignant portrayal. Look for cameos by Lionel Atwill and George Zucco(wish his part had been larger). House of Frankenstein is a great film in the Universal tradition of its monsters and mayhem. One of its other outstanding virtues is its famous score.

Is House of Frankenstein as good as Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein? No. Is it better than Ghost of Frankenstein? Yes, I think so. House of Frankenstein is not an outstanding movie, with a story that is a little too silly with scenes that work and some that don't quite, a thin script and a too short length. However, it has great photography and absolutely beautiful sets and costumes. The music is very atmospheric and the sound effects likewise. Most of the scenes show a perfect mixture of laugh, thrills and nostalgic suspense, there is not much that is scary but what there is is effective indeed. The performances are great, there are many characters here but all are a delight to see. J Carroll Naish is a poignant hunchback, Elena Verdugga plays her role sympathetically and Lionel Atwill and George Zucco give fun if brief turns. John Carradine mayn't quite erase memories of Bela Lugosi, but his Dracula is still aristocratically evil, while Lon Chaney Jnr is typically scary-looking and moving as the Wolfman. Boris Karloff with his magnetic presence, imposing make-up and telling eyes dominates the film as Niemann. In conclusion, a fun movie if not quite one of my favourites. 7/10 Bethany Cox

The problem that I personally had with "The Ghost of Frankenstein" was that I felt the movie's creators did not realize they were involved in the production of a kitsch-fest. In other words, they treated a lighthearted, not-to-be-taken-seriously project as if it were brooding and provocative like the first two movies, most notably James Whale's masterwork "Bride of Frankenstein." As a result, "The Ghost of Frankenstein" was a little slow-going for me. However, the following picture in the franchise (or at least on my DVD collection) "House of Frankenstein" was a step down in quality, but up in entertainment. Because this movie recognizes that it is low-key and packed full of kitsch, and makes the best of it. That's the secret to its charm and I would be a hypocrite if I told you I did not enjoy watching it.

The movie clocks at a brisk seventy-one minutes and every frame of it stirs up nostalgia and a sense of fun. The movie is called "House of Frankenstein" really because it combines several iconic characters. Boris Karloff stars not as the green-skinned monster, but a mad scientist (not Dr. Frankenstein) seeking out revenge on those who threw him behind bars. To exact his revenge, he calls upon the Frankenstein monster (played by Glenn Strange), Count Dracula (John Carradine), the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.), and a hunchback (J. Carrol Naish). Along the way, they pick up a cabaret dancer (Anne Gwynne) who catches the eye of the hunchback, but loves the Wolf-Man whenever he's not howling at the moon.

Sure, it's silly and the movie has no real purpose for any of the creatures. Heck, Count Dracula's scenes could have been entirely excised from the picture and nobody would have known the difference. The Frankenstein monster exists for no other reason than to be there for the climax. The only "creature" that has any real sense of belonging is the Wolf-Man. It's a real treat that Lon Chaney Jr. reprised his immortalizing role here. But everybody else seems just obligatory to be in the picture. This movie is a dartboard for critics, but this one had a great time and has no regrets in saying so.

Every now and then this picky, pro-and-con-measuring reviewer is in the mood for a big, fast-moving hunk of cheese wrapped in a big ball and "House of Frankenstein" delivers. It knows precisely what it is doing, it has an eye-candy cast, lots of hammy dialogue that is delivered with deliberate pretentiousness, and it never dulls out. Sure, it's dimwitted, but it's a lot of fun.

HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (Universal, 1944), directed by Erle C. Kenton, returns Boris Karloff to the "Frankenstein" series, but not as the Monster, the role he immortalized in FRANKENSTEIN (1931); BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935) and SON OF FRANKENSTEIN (1939). Instead, he stars as Doctor Gustav Nieman, a semi-mad scientist serving time in prison, accompanied by his hunchback assistant, Daniel (J. Carroll Naish). Nieman. Neimann is a follower of the late scientist who created a fiendish monster from dead bodies years ago, and plans on following through with Frankenstein's experiments. With a stroke of luck, lightning strikes over the prison, breaking down the wall, causing Niemann and Daniel to be set free. The two men soon happen upon a traveling sideshow consisting of a museum of horrors. After doing away with the carnival owner, Professor Bruno Lampini (George Zucco), they take control of his wagon consisting the body of Count Dracula (John Carradine). Nieman removes the stake from his heart and the skeleton remains of Dracula transforms itself into human form, resurrecting the vampire from the dead of eternal condemnation. Nieman then uses Dracula to help him kill the men responsible for sending him to prison, particularly Burgomaster Hussman (Sig Rumann). After doing his evil deeds, Dracula meets his doom when unable to return to his coffin by sunset. Next Niemann and Daniel find themselves taking in an abused gypsy girl, Ilonka (Elena Verdugo), whom Daniel cares for and loves. After locating the remains of Frankenstein's Monster (Glenn Strange), frozen beneath the ice of the Frankenstein castle, along with the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.), thus picking up where FRANKENSTEIN AND THE WOLF MAN has left off, Niemann sets them free. Neimann promises to end Lawrence Talbot's werewolf curse through the operation of a new brain but is in need of locating Frankenstein's thesis, "The Secret of Life and Death." After it is found, Niemann shows more interest in reviving the unconscious monster than helping Talbot. More conflicts arise when Ilonka shows more interest in Talbot than with Daniel, leading to his jealousy and madness.

HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN repeats the formula used in the previous Monster feast, FRANKENSTEIN MEETS THE WOLF MAN (1943), in which the story brings together legendary monsters into one single film, this time combining the elements of Count Dracula, The Wolf Man and Frankenstein's Monster. However, instead of featuring them all together in one set plot, which could have worked a whole lot better, this production is actually three separate stories in one with Doctor Niemann as the focal point. Although HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN does have the makings of a great horror film, in many ways, probably looked better in script form. The biggest weakness is cramming so many incidents into 70 minutes, leaving no time for plot development and character study. The best segment is one involving Count Dracula. For reasons only known to Universal, John Carradine steps in as the Count rather than its originator, Bela Lugosi. Carradine, however, makes a good substitute, giving a new dimensional look to the Dracula legend: tall, thin, supporting a mustache, creepy eyes, and no Hungarian accent. Carradine's Dracula walks about with top hat and cane under the alias of Baron LaToes.

As for Chaney, his transformation scenes from wolf man to Talbot, etc., and special effects that go with it, are still first rate. Along with Dracula, the Wolf Man isn't given much to do, and neither does the Monster. Of the actors chosen to play Frankenstein's Monster, Glenn Strange is probably the worst, playing him more like an imbecile, leaving nothing to the character created by Karloff. By this time, the stories contradict the previous films. (Wasn't Ygor's brain placed in the Monster's head in THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN? Now, what happened to Ygor?). Why can't the Monster talk?

Although HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN relatively belongs to Karloff and Naish, Naish comes off best. Regardless that his character kills as ordered by his master (Karloff), Naish's Daniel is a sympathetic portrayal, naive and caring, in the way Lon Chaney Sr. might have played him had assumed this particular role. His Daniel also continues to care for the gypsy girl knowing that she has lost interest in him.

In spite of its title, there are no characters in the film bearing the Frankenstein name, and if the name Frankenstein is associated with the Monster, he's hardly there. This is also the only known film in which Lawrence Talbot is referred to as The Wolf Man. Lionel Atwill, who previously appeared in earlier Frankenstein segments starting with THE SON (1939), returns once more, and again, in a different portrayal, this time as Inspector Arnz in the earlier portion involving Dracula. His scenes, too, are brief.

The supporting cast also includes the Universal stock company of Anne Gwynne as Rita Hussman Peter Coe as her husband, Carl; Brandon Hurst as Doctor Geissler; with Philip Van Zandt as Inspector Muller; Frank Reicher as Ullman; and Brandon Hurst as Doctor Geissler.

Contrary to the outcome of HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, Universal would repeat this formula again in its next sequel, HOUSE OF Dracula (1945). And after running out of houses, Universal would end it all by having their studio monsters meeting up with Abbott and Costello before the end of the decade.

HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, which is available on video cassette, did enjoy frequent revivals and resurrections on local commercial television stations for many years starting from the late 1950s before heading over on cable channels where they were shown on the Sci-Fi Channel, American Movie Classics (prior to 2001) or Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: October 9, 2016). To really enjoy HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN is to not take it too seriously, accepting it for what it is, a campy horror film. (**1/2)

Considered a cult campy classic, "House of Frankenstein" is Universal's attempt to make cash by putting 5 monsters on film, in a direct sequel to "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man". Strange enough, it is not as bad as it sounds.

Legendary Boris Karloff plays the mad scientist, Dr. Niemann, who was imprisoned because of his bizarre experiments. Durng a storm, he and his assistant Daniel the Hunchback (J. Carrol Naish) manage to escape, and decide to find Dr. Frankenstein's diaries in order to learn from his discoveries.

In his travel, they will find count Dracula (John Carradine), the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney Jr.) and Frankenstein's monster himself (Glenn Strange). As silly as it sounds, the movie works, mainly because of the power of the actors, as well as Erle C. Kenton's direction, who manages to do here what he failed to attempt in his last horror, "Ghost of Frankenstein".

In this movie, Kenton uses his characters the way he always wanted, with more humor and less horror, fulfilling the slow transformation of the franchise from Gothic horror to campy comedy. Boris Karloff is superb as the scientist and shows his wide range as an actor. He was certainly more than his famous role of the monster in the first three Frankenstein movies.

Lon Chaney Jr. continues in his classic role as the tormented Larry Talbot, and while both John Carradine and Glenn Strange receive very few screen time, their appearance is well received.

The main problem of the movie is that with the exception of the Wolf Man and the Hunchback, the rest of the characters receives very little development. While Karloff makes a great job, his character remains as mysterious as he started, and the creature and Dracula are almost reduced to cameos that serve to move the plot.

Nevertheless, the movie manage to deliver the fun it promises, as it never gets tiresome or boring. Viewed as a horror movie, it certainly fails to impress, but honestly, this works better as dark comedy. 6/10

Okay, let's get this straight right off the slab - not the best Universal monster movie ever made, but tons of fun! Gets an extra star due to sheer number of monsters in the film; Boris Karloff as the mad scientist, Lon Chaney Jr. as the wolfman, J. Carol Naish as the hunchback, Glen Strange as the monster, and John Carradine as Dracula! Whew! And they manage to pull it all off convincingly. What more could one ask for? This is a fun, fast paced, monster rally. Check it out - if you enjoy the Universal monster movies, you'll love this one.

I keep forgetting to watch The Wolf Man but at this point, I don't think it matters any more.This is one of the better Frankenstein movies so far. It doesn't really have anything to do with Frankenstein but for the first time in the series they don't ignore and/or change what happened in the last movie. One weird thing is that now the town is named Frankenstein, which is not only different but very confusing. The town people say they want to forget about Frankenstein but they named the town after him? I also find it weird that they keep using the same actors in different roles, although Lon Chaney finally plays the same character two movies in a row. And why does every movie with a werewolf have gypsies in it? What's the connection? Anyway, this is definitely worth watching if you like monster movies.